Ohio Athletic Commission executive director Bernie Profato ruled the bout “non-competitive” and informed Adrenaline promoter Monte Cox that it would not be sanctioned.

Cox confirmed the change when contacted by MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

On Tuesday afternoon, Sylvia tweeted that Sims was the likely opponent for the March 20 show, but Profato later explained to MMAjunkie.com the reasoning behind the commission’s decision.

“The commission felt the fight was not going to be competitive at this time after comparing [Sims’ and Sylvia’s] records and the opponents both fighters had faced,” Profato stated in an email response. “And even though it was 2004, Sylvia previously stopped Sims at 1:36 of the first round.”

The two fighters have shared a mutual disdain since they first fought the December 2004 contest Profato referenced. The two jawed in the lead-up to the fight, held in Honolulu, Hawaii, at Superbrawl 38, which saw the former UFC champion Sylvia pound Sims into submission in the first round after Sims hurt his shoulder.

Since then, their careers have diverged sharply. Sylvia regained his heavyweight championship at UFC 59 and lost it 11 months later, while Sims scraped out a living in regional shows. They eventually met the same fate as popular heels in the MMA community.

Sims found the limelight once again in 2009 when he talked his way onto the 10th season of “The Ultimate Fighter.” He gained a quick reputation as the show’s class clown and was choked unconscious by Justin Wren in the preliminary round of the show’s tournament. He recently fought Bobby Lashley as a last-minute fill-in at “Strikeforce: Miami” and was stopped in the first round.

Sylvia, meanwhile, recently returned to the win column this past August when he defeated Jason Riley with strikes at “Adrenaline MMA IV.” Prior to that, he dropped his third straight bout when former boxing champion Ray Mercer knocked him out in nine seconds at “Adrenaline MMA III.”

Cox said the two heavyweights would likely remain on the card, with Sylvia meeting three-time UFC veteran and Hammer House product Branden Lee Hinkle, while Sims is now slotted against “The Ultimate Fighter 2″ cast member Kerry Schall (22-11). Profato said Hinkle has already been approved.

“Brandon Lee Hinkle has been approved,” Profato stated. “He has faced tougher opponents and is also a professional boxer. In Hinkle’s last fight, he went four rounds with
a 20-2 Chris Tuchscherer, who just earned a victory at UFC 109.”

Following the break-up of M-1 Global’s American wing in 2008, promoter Cox formed Adrenaline MMA and has focused on Midwest-based talent.

(Pictured: Wes Sims)

* * * *

Story updated on Feb. 16 at 9:35 p.m. ET to include comments from Profato.

From Our Partners

The Latest

As the UFC 189 tour made its last stop in Dublin, featherweight champ Jose Aldo was met with a torrent of abuse from the Irish fans. It might have been unpleasant, but it might also have been just what he needed.